On behalf of Chairman Steve Mace and his Board of Directors including Matthew McGrath, Madeline Tynan, David Nicholson, Morry Waked, Martin Kennedy, Wayne Knight and Patrick Bourke, executive management, staff, from both football and administration, along with our players across men's, women's and from our academy teams, we wish members and fans a merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.
Personally, I'd like to thank Steve and his Board for their support over the past year, with encouraging results on and off the field due to their hard work across the respective sub committees, their dedication and combined skill set.
All areas of the business are heading in a positive direction, and we head into 2025 looking forward to another strong trading year, while remaining optimistic about the prospects of our Sharks teams throughout the respective competitions and grades.
Thank you to all for your continued support and again we hope you enjoy the festive season.
Following in this Christmas-New Year CEO Update the various departments will detail the most recent happenings and business conducted during the months of November and December. We will also take the opportunity to look ahead to 2025 and what is promising to be another memorable season.
First up in the New Year our planning will continue for Las Vegas and the round one match against the 2024 Premiers the Panthers. To be on the international stage, against the benchmark team in the NRL competition, will be an exciting way to begin our season.
However, before we head for the US and the season-opener in Las Vegas, the Sharks will host a gala event during February when we establish a Hall of Fame and induct a special and select group of players.
Eleven of the greatest players to represent the Sharks will be welcomed into the Hall of Fame, with six other Cronulla champions to join the current five Sharks Immortals, with all to be revealed during a prestigious black-tie dinner, to be held at Sharks Stadium on February 18.
More information, including the opportunity to purchase tickets to the event, is available on the Sharks website – CLICK HERE.
Back to our NRL team and we have already announced a handful of player retention signings, Addin Fonua-Blake has joined us and has fit seamlessly into our playing group and while early days for our preparations for 2025, the reports are extremely positive as to the progress being made by our full time NRL squad. Last year a preliminary final and we have our sights set even higher in 2025.
Since the last CEO Update the NRL and NRLW draws have been released, with Vegas in round one, a trip to Townsville to face the Cowboys in round two, before our first game at Sharks Stadium when we host the Rabbitohs on a Saturday afternoon in round three.
Our women kick off their 2025 season on July 3 with a match against the Eels at Sharks Stadium.
Over the past two years we have seen a number of sell outs for our NRL home games, so if you haven't done so already, be sure to secure your membership to guarantee entry into not only the Souths game on March 22, but for all our other home matches next year.
To see the full Sharks season schedules, CLICK HERE for NRL and CLICK HERE for NRLW, with the men's draw including a match in Perth when we play Manly at Optus Stadium on Saturday, April 12.
Our trial matches will be at Sharks Stadium on Friday, February 7 when we host the Warriors, while Saturday, February 8, Sharks Stadium will also be the venue for the Panthers v Raiders trial, the first for both teams in 2025. The Penrith-Canberra NRL trial on the Saturday will be supported by our Harold Matthews and SG Ball teams who will play prior, in what promises to be an action-packed day at Sharks Stadium. Again, see our website and media channels for kick off times and more information closer to the day.
On the following Thursday, February 13, the NRL squad travels to Canberra to play the Raiders for our second trial in continuing preparations for the round one clash in Las Vegas.
Away from the football department, our commercial/sponsorship team, after delivering an outstanding result in 2024, and is again hard at work attempting to secure partners for our remaining sponsor properties, with the stadium naming rights partnership currently still available. Discussions have been positive with a number of businesses and brands, however for anyone interested in making a genuine enquiry, around the Stadium partnership or for any other sponsor opportunity, please contact our Commercial department.
And further to that Reozone was recently announced as our new back of jersey partner (CLICK HERE to read more), joining the valued group of major partners already on board for the 2025 season.
While as for corporate hospitality, facilities remain somewhat restricted due to the ongoing Woolooware Bay and Leagues Club construction, meaning we are close to being sold out, however again those interested are encouraged to reach out to explore the options still available for next year.
Merchandise sales also showed a considerable uplift in 2024, due in part to the opening of our new Sharks Store in the Woolooware Bay Town Centre. We have an exciting new range of training, playing and supporter gear, either already on sale or on the way, provided by our supplier Classic Sportswear. Visit our Sharks Store (or go online) to pick up a piece of Sharks merchandise for that special Christmas gift.
We also firmly believe our Sharks Have Heart team, headed up by Vinh Tran, is more than comparable to the best in the NRL in terms of our community engagement and the programs and initiatives we support. The recent Christmas blitz was a prime example, with our entire NRL full time group spreading out to visit the Sutherland and Randwick Children's hospital's, the Pathways Cronulla Pines aged care facility and Civic Disability, handing out presents and spreading some Christmas cheer.
Last but not least, I encourage all Members and fans to continue to patronise Sharks at Kareela during the holiday period. Our second home in the Shire, Sharks at Kareela offers weekly specials and promotions, along with first-class service, award-winning food at the Cove Bar and Grill, cold drinks and outstanding facilities.
Sharks at Kareela will remain open for business throughout the holiday period, excepting Christmas Day, while the football office will close from Friday, December 20, reopening Monday, January 6, however as always, keep an eye on Sharks media channels for any off-season news and Member updates.
Thanks again for your ongoing support and we hope to see you all at games and at our various events in supporting the Sharks again in 2025.
Woolooware Bay – Sharks Leagues Club
We continue to work with the Developer in getting our Club lot handed back, which will then allow us to progress to our fit out and build. We are very close to this milestone and assure Members we are working around the clock to make this happen.
In parallel to this, and so we are ready to hit the ground running, we have received the tenders for our Club works and fit out from the nominated builders. These tenders continue to be reviewed, with a view to selecting a builder to deliver our Club in the New Year.
Whilst the wait has been extensive and the process a drawn out one, we ask Members to take confidence in that we are ensuring the Club is well positioned and protected as we receive handover in what has been a challenging and complicated arrangement. The good news is we can see a pathway ahead, one which is now clearer than ever before, and we expect to have some news in the New Year to provide our Members a timeline for completion of the build and fit out.
Dino Mezzatesta
Sharks CEO
The festive season is upon us, and Sharks at Kareela is buzzing with exciting events, activities, and promotions.
Following the interest and excitement around our Sharks in Vegas promotion, we're thrilled to announce another major giveaway. One lucky member can win a Jet Ski or $10,000 cash, with seven winners drawn out on Thursday and Sunday nights to spin the Summer Wheel of Cash, revealing an instant cash prize and securing a spot in the major draw on February 27.
Our Mega Christmas Raffles are well and truly underway, with over $17,000 in prizes to be won, including 150 Half Hams, 40 Toys and 100 Seafood Trays. There is $2,000 in seafood up for grabs today (Friday, December 20) from 6pm, while 50 Christmas Hams will be raffled on Monday, December 23, also starting at 6pm.
We are also offering Twilight Golf specials this summer for those golfers looking to enjoy a sunny afternoon on the Kareela course. Tee off after 2pm and play 18 holes for just $20 on weekdays, $26.50 on weekends.
And get down to our final FREE LIVE MUSIC session with BB Max, this Saturday (December 21) from 6-9pm.
Sharks at Kareela will be closed on Christmas Day, but regular opening and trading hours will be in operation every other day during the holiday period.
Heading into the Christmas-New Year period, the Commercial department has held meetings with our major partners to plan for the 2025 season and ensure we assist with our partners' marketing objectives.
We are grateful to have partners that desire to add to the game day experience and with Member offers and benefits. As in 2024, there will be many sponsor promotions and VIP experiences next season exclusive to Members. Be sure to become a Member so you don't miss out on all the fun.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our major partners across NRL, NRLW and Pathways for their support in 2024: Platinum Major Partner Aramex, Classic Sportswear, Community/Membership/NRLW Major Partner Quest Apartment Hotels, Ace Gutters, Zambrero, Pilot, Asahi Carlton United Breweries, Lae Biscuit, Madimack, Stewart Toyota, BSc, Minespec Parts, Shore Hire, Tyrepower, Menai Sand & Soil, Victor Sports, Food4Fitness, JRFM, SBA Earthmoving Attachments and Cronulla Carpets.
We have extensive support from many companies in our player sponsorship and signage program, many being local businesses that invest into our club. Thank you for your ongoing and valued support.
In new business being negotiated, we have just announced a new partner with Reozone taking over the lower back of the NRL jersey. Reozone were a partner several years ago and we are thrilled to have their support once again. Thank you John and the Reozone Team!
We are actively in market in relation to our available commercial assets, including that of Stadium Naming Rights Partner, front of NRL and NRLW shorts and signage and other minor partnerships. Please don't hesitate to contact me should you wish to discuss any of these opportunities – I can be emailed at [email protected].
In the area of game day hospitality, sales and renewals have exceeded our expectations. We will have limited availability in 2025. If you would like to enquire about hospitality, please contact the hospitality team at [email protected].
We look forward to once again hosting our valued corporate hospitality partners in 2025. Many of these partners have been supporting the club for multiple years and we are grateful for their support.
On behalf of our Corporate team – me, Carly Fagerstrom, Kerriann Tyson-Jones, Emily Araullo and Toby Learmont – we wish all of our partners and Members a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.
Thank you to all Members who have proudly shown their loyalty and become 'Sharks Forever' ahead of the 2025 season.
We have now surpassed 10,000 Members and there are still great reserved seats available for the season. CLICK HERE to view what's available or take advantage of the General Admission Membership for a whole year's worth of entertainment for the family at an affordable price.
With seven of ten Sharks Stadium NRL matches sold out in 2024 and the prospect of similar interest and more to come in 2025, becoming a Member is your only way to guarantee access to home games next season. Plus, take advantage of entry to all Sharks home NRLW matches – included with your Membership.
Plans are coming along nicely for our 2025 Members' Season Launch party event. Members won't want to miss this fantastic opportunity to start the year off right with the black, white and blue family before the NRL team head to Vegas.
But that's not all – there will be plenty of activities for all ages including face painting and a jumping castle. Test your skills at passing the ball or in the games section, where you can go head-to-head against other players. Be sure to visit the Sharks merchandise huts and Store on the day and use your Member discount to purchase the latest gear. Further details and instructions on how to RSVP can be found in your exclusive Member EDM.
Details are still being finalised regarding the remainder of the 2025 Member events calendar. Please keep an eye out on your weekly Member email for further information and 'save the dates'.
If you have already signed up as a Member, take a look around our new Member Benefit portal store, The Locker Room. You can design your Member benefit pack and purchase additional items to show you're proudly 'Sharks Forever' no matter where you are or what you are doing throughout the day.
Members are reminded they can use their Member card to receive GA access to the trial match against the Warriors on Friday, February 7. Tickets will go on sale for this match on Wednesday, January 8. Part Season and Flexi Members will be able to redeem a ticket without impacting the number of entitlements for match entry.
Part Season and Flexi Members are also reminded they will be able to use their redemption codes to redeem tickets through Ticketek for their designated matches from February 18, when tickets go on sale to Members for the 2025 season.
Thanks again to all who have become Members for the 2025 season. We truly value your support both on and off the field.
Have a very Merry Christmas and holiday period and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on an incredible year on and off the field.
Our Marketing, Brand and Digital program has maintained a year-round focus on strengthening our fan, Member and customer engagement across our Football and Leagues clubs. The program has also directly supported the club's key commercial programs including Membership, Partnerships, Merchandise as well as Community.
We are pleased to share just some of the '24 highlights:
- Launch of the iconic Sharks 2016 NRL Premiership mural which now adorns the façade of Sharks Stadium
- Official opening of the new Sharks Store merchandise retail outlet in Bay Central Shopping Centre
- "Ride The Wave With The Sharks In Vegas" campaign celebrating the club's selection to take centre stage at Allegiant Stadium for the 2025 Telstra NRL premiership opener
- As part of the Vegas campaign, we gave away the trip of a lifetime with the Sharks In Vegas to one lucky member at a glitzy Sharks at Kareela event attended by Sharks NRL stars Dale Finucane and Blayke Brailey
- An array of season '24 themed game day celebrations including Sharks' inaugural Mental Fitness Round, NRL collaborations and support for key matches and rounds
- A dynamic "Sharks Finals Fever" marketing program celebrating a historic year for the club, including NRL prelim and NRLW Grand Final berths
- Launch of the 2025 "Sharks Forever" Membership campaign
- Sharks brand health showed steady improvement over 2024 and in September reached the highest score in over 12 months.
On the digital front we continue to strive to deliver our Members and fans timely, unique and engaging content and have seen some pleasing performance and growth in 2024 including:
- Delivering over 14 million emails across our Member, fan, corporate customer and community databases communicating player announcements, match news, campaign launches, ticket pre-sales and on sales, finals footy, community programs, partner offers, Sharks at Kareela events and promotions
- Our average engagement rate across our social media is now almost double the 2024 Australian average, with Facebook being our most engaging platform
- Increasing our sharks.com.au website visitation by almost half a million visits.
Looking to 2025 we are set to celebrate our interstate and global platforms, kicking off with Vegas then Perth in April, and will continue to build and engage our NRL and NRLW Member and fanbase with a brand we can all be proud of.
So for now, on behalf of the Marketing, Brand and Digital team, I wish you a fabulous festive season and a winning 2025. We can't wait to see you soon in club, at stadium or on our socials.
As we head into the holiday the period, an annual highlight is our Christmas blitz where the players visit The Sutherland Hospital and the Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick. This year it became even more impactful, with the full squad spreading Christmas joy and expanding the visits to the Pathways Cronulla Pines aged care facility and Civic Disability Caringbah. Read more HERE.
It's been a groundbreaking year for Sharks Have Heart with record participation and engagement across our community programs:
– Our NRL and NRLW players spent over 400 hours assisting with our community programs and initiatives.
– 20,000+ people engaged with our community programs.
– Over $150,000 was raised for charity and community organisations.
Other Sharks Have Heart and community impact highlights included:
– Nicho Hynes being crowned the NRL's 2024 Community Player of the Year.
– Partnering with Gotcha4Life on the inaugural Mental Fitness Round.
– The growth and expansion of our Equal Access Programs. Led by Emma Verran (nee Tonegato), we can now connect our club and rugby league with even more people with disability. In partnership with The Disability Trust, we have the Score Sharks team regularly training and ready to play their first games in 2025. We also have our Mega Waves programs that cater for school support units. CLICK HERE to find out more and get involved
– Through our partnership with Deadly Choices and the Central Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network, we continue to support positive health and wellbeing outcomes for local Indigenous people. A great example was our First Nations Community Day that led into the NRL's Indigenous Round. To find out more CLICK HERE.
– One Heart, our school diversity and anti-racism program, reached a record 3500+ students across nearly 30 schools in 2024.
– 2024 also saw record participation in our flagship Junior Jaws and Mini Mermaids school holiday programs. Don't miss out on some more Junior Jaws action this summer as we once again partner with Cronulla Surf Academy for our Footy and Surf Clinic at Wanda Beach. Register HERE.
A huge thank you to all our generous partners and donors. Without your support, we cannot have the reach and positive impact on the community that we do. If you would like to donate and support our club and the social impact of Sharks Have Heart, you can make a tax-deductible donation HERE.
From everyone here at Sharks Have Heart, we wish you all a safe and happy holiday season. For more information on our Sharks Have Heart and community programs, CLICK HERE or email [email protected]
Looking for a last-minute Christmas gift or stocking up ahead of the upcoming season? The Sharks Store is your ideal destination!
The 2025 Classic pre-season range and away jersey – which was launched last week – are now available to purchase online and in store.
Unfortunately, the cut-off date for guaranteed delivery by Christmas has passed, however we'll endeavour to get your items to you as soon as possible. You can still pop into our Woolooware Bay store, which will remain open for holiday trade with the exception of Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Preparations for 2025 are in full swing, with plenty of activity on the recruitment and retention front and our full NRL squad back on deck for pre-season training.
Planning for our NRL season-opener in Las Vegas is tracking well and excitement continues to build as we get ready to face the Panthers at Allegiant Stadium.
We began our retention drive in October by announcing new one-year deals for Oregon Kaufusi, Mawene Hiroti, Niwhai Puru, Billy Burns, Jayden Berrell and Chris Vea'ila.
Since then, Braydon Trindall, Briton Nikora, Liam Ison, Cameron McInnes, Teig Wilton and Tuku Hau Tapuha have signed contract extensions, the latter three putting pen to paper just this week.
We've also welcomed the talented Hohepa Puru – Niwhai's twin brother – to the club from the Raiders, bolstering the depth in our forward pack.
It's pleasing to have secured so many key players before Christmas and we're hopeful of bringing our Members more good news in the near future.
Elsewhere, Addin Fonua-Blake has arrived in the Sutherland Shire and already made an impression with his professionalism and enthusiasm.
Addin is a world-class front-rower, as evidenced by his powerful performances for Tonga in the recent Pacific Championships, and we can't wait to see him in action next year.
Still on the Pacific Championships, congratulations to Sione Katoa (Tonga), Tiana Penitani (Australia), Quincy Dodd (Australia), Annessa Biddle (New Zealand), Brooke Anderson (New Zealand), Talei Holmes (Fiji), Cassie Staples (Fiji), Luisa Yaranamua (Fiji), Filomina Hanisi (Tonga), Vanessa Foliaki (Tonga), Manilita Takapautolo (Tonga) and Tegan Dymock (Tonga) on representing their nations.
Sione joined forces with Addin to help Tonga reach the men's Pacific Cup final against Australia, while Tiana and Quincy were part of the triumphant Jillaroos squad that defeated the Kiwi Ferns in the decider. Addin, Tiana and Annessa's outstanding international efforts were recognised with short-list nominations for the prestigious IRL Golden Boot award.
The Newtown Jets – our NSW Cup partner club – celebrated their premiership-winning season at an awards night in November. Sharks NRL squad members Tuku Hau Tapuha (Best and Fairest), Liam Ison (Coach's Award), Jayden Berrell (Players' Player and Members' Player of the Year) and Niwhai Puru (Most Improved) were among the award winners. CLICK HERE for a full wrap.
The NRL and NRLW draws were released last month. After kicking off the year in Vegas in March, our men will head to Townsville to play the Cowboys before returning home to Sharks Stadium in Round 3 to tackle the Bulldogs. Our women will begin their NRLW campaign at home against the Eels in July, followed by a road trip to meet the Raiders.
CLICK HERE for more information on the respective schedules.
Meanwhile, young centre Nikora Williams was recently crowned the top male NSW Combined High Schools athlete of 2024, receiving the Val Lembit Trophy previously won by the likes of swimmer Ian Thorpe and cricket great Steve Waugh.
Nikora, who is training with the NRL squad over the summer after impressing for the club's SG Ball and Jersey Flegg teams, captained the NSW CHS side and represented the Australian Schoolboys in matches against the France under 19s and Junior Kumuls this year.
The countdown to a new year means the NSWRL Junior Representative season is right around the corner. All squads are hard at work, with our under-17 Lisa Fiaola and under-19 Tarsha Gale Cup women's teams convincingly beating the Rabbitohs in trials at the Sharks Academy fields last Saturday.
The under-17 Harold Matthews and under-19 SG Ball boys will host Souths at the Sharks Academy tonight in their first trial matches, set to kick off at 5pm and 6.30pm.
Junior squads will be finalised and announced ahead of the competitions officially starting in February.
